Introducing you to careers you never knew existed

Cynthia Sanchez has been an entrepreneur since crushing it at craft fairs in high school with her Mom. She then created and sold her first business in the decade after. Now she has set out to remind women and those who give that taking time for you self isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. Hear our chat below!

Kathleen Tozzi is the founder of The Fancy Schmancy Co., a company with delightfully creative accompaniments for entertaining and everyday. I got the chance to talk with her just one month after her product launched.

One of our #bossladies Melissa Barker is on a new journey to connect with her fellow business owners. This month she launched Women Entrepreneurs of Charleston, a group created to serve both established and aspiring women entrepreneurs in the city of Charleston, SC. While there are many organizations and events that exist, WEofC is unlike anything else available in our community today.

She shares, “I believe there should be a place where resources, learnings, and mentoring can take place in a way that aligns with the demanding schedule of a woman business owner. And, because I believe that if I had had access to a community like WEofC when I started MEL BAR MAR, it would have completely changed the way my business was founded, grew, and matured.”

Unlike a happy hour, networking group, or large conference, WEofC is about supporting established women entrepreneurs to grow, improve, and/or sell their business while giving aspiring women entrepreneurs a fast-track way to start a business by leveraging valuable learnings from those who have gone before them.

WEC is a by-application only, collective of women who are serious about growing professionally and personally. While we are all in various stages of our businesses, across a wide range of industries, we all share one thing in common: the highs and lows of starting, owning, and/or growing a business. We also have personal experience, insights, learnings and resources to share, along with shortcomings, questions, and challenges that could benefit from a small, curated group of women who are committed to helping each other.

Members benefit from in-person, focused workshops surrounding a skill or topic, as well as online, instant access to the knowledge of the group through private and group chat. While professional and personal development is our focus, our purpose is to support and promote each member’s business through referrals, recommendations, reviews and advocacy.

“In the future there will be no women leaders. Just leaders.”

– SHERYL SANDBERG

Jordan Dudden is Charleston’s newest #BOSSLADY and jewelry entrepreneur. She’s the brains and the crafty hands behind JoJo Rings, a company that handcrafts rings from 100% recycled keys that was founded with community in mind. It operates under three guiding principles: social good, sustainability, and individuality. We sat down to chat and her mission to help others while bringing her passion to life really struck me.

Jordan Dudden

In what ways does your business give back?

Every month we work with a different nonprofit to raise awareness and promote social change. With each online purchase we donate $5 to one of our nonprofit partners. Since our founding in 2015, we have made it a priority to work with a diverse set of life-saving nonprofits spanning from the Keep a Breast Foundation to the United State of Women. Our tagline, #keysforchange, illustrates our commitment to social good.

We source our keys from two nonprofits: “Keys for Hope” and “Keys for Kids”. They collect keys and scrap the brass to fund their respected charitable missions. They were kind enough to sell us their keys at a premium price. It’s a very healthy relationship for both of us. Our last order was nearly 100,000 keys… That’s 2,400 pounds!!!

This month we are working with Project Heal, which works to deliver prevention, treatment financing, and recovery support for people suffering with eating disorders.

Why did you decide to give back?

In college I was always volunteering, whether I was building homes for Habitat for Humanity on weekends or designing for different local nonprofits. There was never a question “if” I was going to give back once I founded JoJo Rings… It was a matter of “how much”. Through this work I’ve had an opportunity to meet amazing people from different nonprofits that are changing the world for good.

How did you decide to change every month?

As JoJo Rings began to grow with celebrity supporters and bigger retailers, we started to get contacted by more and more nonprofit organizations. They addressed topics spanning from wildlife preservation to sexual assault… and everything in between! It became a hard reality that we couldn’t possibly help everyone that contacted us, which was incredibly difficult for me to handle. Our current system allows us to work with different deserving nonprofits every 30 days. It enables us to educate our community members of a diverse set of social problems and raise money for the many causes around the world.

How do you think other entrepreneurs can give back in their business or people as individuals?

I sincerely believe that everyone should make “giving back” a priority. I encourage all readers to find a cause that they’re passionate about, and get involved immediately!

What is the #1 piece of advice for those women who have not yet made the leap to start their own business?

Take a leap of faith. I know it’s scary. I know it’s intimidating. But if you don’t believe in yourself no one else will!

What’s your hardest lesson learned in year one?

“The hardest lesson I learned in my first year of business is that you never truly turn ‘off’. Even during my time at a startup, I could still take some mental breaks or pass a few tasks off to my team. It’s a catch-22 (no pun intended) because I love what I do, and never want to turn off the innovation and energy, but sometimes you need to recharge your battery.”

What’s you top tip for making your first hire?

“Tap into your personal network. A lot of people will warn you not to hire friends, or close colleagues but I’ve found that foundation of trust, commitment, and buy-in is invaluable. At some point you’ll have to go outside that circle of personal connection, and that’s when you have to rely on your gut…as scary as that can be.”

How did you know it was time to quit your 9-5 to pursue this new venture?

“It’s funny because I never really had a ‘9-5’. For me, I always went all-in. In the early days of SPARC, I would work on Friday evenings over a bottle of wine and 15 spreadsheets open. I think that just proved to me that I could (and wanted to) do it on my own. In addition to that, I always had this nagging desire to blaze my own path. As soon as SPARC sold, I knew it was time to take what I had learned and take it out to our clients.”

How did you determine the best strategy for growth?

“We’re a startup so growth was only going to happen once we had completely reached our limit from a delivery perspective. We felt it about 6 months in, which is when we decided to hire two more Recruiters. I had to realize that pulling myself out of execution was the best thing for our long term growth. You have to know when to let go or delegate. Additionally, we are very strategic about *what* we do. Catch does not do HR consulting, we don’t do Payroll servicing, or day labor staffing. What we do (and do very well) is strategic hiring partnerships and employer branding. By being focused and intentional, we turn down business- but that is part of the larger vision.”

What did this year teach you about yourself?

“It’s not what I’ve taught myself, it’s what my team, partners, and clients teach me every day. I never want to settle and I never claim to know it all.

If I had to pinpoint it to one instance, I would say it’s that I can take on and handle a lot more than I expected. I’m a Mom, a Wife, a Daughter, Sister, Friend, Neighbor….but I also can be a Leader, Boss, Business Owner, and hopefully, an inspiration to my son and other women in business.”

How has the tech landscape in Charleston shaped this year for Catch?

“The tech landscape here in Charleston continues to grow significantly, which in turns had led to more hiring and ultimately growing our business.”

What’s your best tip for stepping away from business to rest your mind and body (did you even rest at all this first year)?

“This is going to sound crazy, but sometimes in the car I sit in silence. I turn off the radio, turn the ringer off on my phone, and just think. Even if it’s 5 minutes, it allows me to think through my day or the meeting I’m about to have and mentally get in a good space.

I also love to workout, which doesn’t happen as often as I’d like but a great run or workout always refreshes and energizes me.”

What makes you most proud about this first year?

“I’m so proud of my team. I work with the most talented and hardest working crew. We’ve all put in a ton of hours building our brand, developing new relationships, and really pushing the boundaries of creativity in our partnerships. If my clients are successful, it means we’re doing something right.”

How are you planning for year 2?

“We are focusing on our backyard (Charleston) first and foremost, but are also targeting other areas on the East Coast where we’ve had initial success. We laid a really strong foundation in year 1; year 2 is about growth.”

What would you do differently?

“The only thing I would do differently is hire our 5th and 6th Team Member earlier. However, it ended up being the perfect timing, so I guess nothing really different! Things usually work out for a reason, I’ve always believed in that.”

What was your biggest support system?

“My family, first and foremost; especially for supporting my leap of faith. And in a close second, my team. We are all so tight and truly all want to see each other successful every day.”

Who do you wish you reached out to?

“That’s a tough question. I really miss my former SPARC Team Members. It’s not that we don’t stay in touch, but they were like family and unfortunately we all get busy or move on to other opportunities or positions. It’s hard to keep up with everyone, but I will always have a special place in my heart for that time in my life and career.”

What would you say to yourself, knowing what you know today, on the day you first thought about starting this business? (Or to yourself 5 years ago)

“I’d probably say, “Believe in yourself, and know you will succeed.” Luckily, I had a great mentor who pushed me and encouraged me enough that I just went for it. The rest would naturally fall into place because failure was never an option. ”

There’s something magical about the New Year. It’s full of energy, excitement, renewal, and we often dream of fresh starts and new beginnings. We set resolutions and intentions to guide the year ahead, yet often within weeks we lose sight of those well-intended plans. You’ve been there and done that.

Yet you know within you is the capacity for big change, evolution, and pursuing greatness beyond your wildest dreams. So maybe this is the year you ditch the resolutions and instead you focus on making a few meaningful shifts in life. Here are 10 ways that will help you make 2017 your best year yet.

1. Ditch the shit that sucks.

Let’s start the year by agreeing not to do the things we hate. For example, I loathe doing the accounting for my business. Yet every single month since I started my business over five years ago, I have wrangled my way through my accounting software while threatening to hang myself from the rafters. Clearly, I have no business doing the work because 1) I hate it, and 2) I am not really good at it, and 3) I have no desire to learn how to be better. So this year I commit to hiring someone to handle my books so I can free up my time, energy, and sanity. So I ask you, what do you hate doing? What can you give up in 2017 to free up your own precious time, energy, and sanity?

2. Make some kickass new friends.

One of the biggest complaints I hear from new entrepreneurs is that they often feel alone, isolated, and a tad bit depressed, even though they’re pursuing their dreams. So many of us work alone, or with a very small team, and we put in long hours without a lot of camaraderie and encouragement from others. It’s no surprise we often struggle with the emotional side of entrepreneurship. This was what led me to create Hatch Tribe, as a deliberate means of connecting like-minded, passionate, purpose-driven women entrepreneurs. This year I encourage you to make some new friends and reach out to other women entrepreneurs. Connect with business owners in your local community or through an online platform. Start to build a tribe of peers who are up to big things in the world, who understand the life of the entrepreneur, and can support your journey through the highs and lows. It makes a world of difference. I swear.

3. Celebrate your wins, no matter how big or small.

Have you ever noticed how much time you spend thinking about what isn’t done? You know, how you tend to ruminate over a project that’s incomplete or your ever-growing to-do list. But what about all those things you did accomplish. Don’t they deserve a little love?! This year I want you to commit to celebrating like a champ. Whether it’s a big win or a small win, a lesson learned, a benchmark met, a goal reached, or a milestone in life, you will party like a rock star. Create a culture that celebrates success and you’ll be rewarded time and time again. It’s a powerful motivator to focus on our accomplishments!

4. Invest in yourself.

This isn’t lip service, ladies. So often we invest our time, energy, and money into making sure everyone around us is happy. So much so, that we put ourselves last in line. You deserve to be a priority in your life. You deserve to invest time, money, and energy into your own personal and professional growth. So get real about what you want and need. Is there a workshop you’d like to attend to up-level your skills? Are you dying to attend an industry conference? Do you crave the guidance of a coach or mentor to navigate the next phase of your business? Do you want to learn something new that’s purely for joy? Whatever it is, choose to invest in you. You are worth it, sister.

5. Set a CEO Date every single month.

Open your calendar right now and block out one entire day each month for a “CEO Date”. On this day each month, you will step away. This is your time to hit the pause button, take a break from emails, social media, and phone calls, so you can focus on the bigger picture of your business. Start by reflecting on your annual goals. (How is the company performing? Are you on track? Do you need to change course or adjust your plan?) Then take a look at the prior month. (What’s working? What’s not? What needs some love?) Then shift focus toward the month ahead. (What are your top priorities? What are your goals? What specific actions do you need to take to meet those goals and how will you assign them to your team?) Your goal by the end of the day is to feel grounded and prepared for the month ahead, with a clear action plan in place to hit the ground running. You’ll be a goal crushing machine in no time!

6. Shut down.

Commit to make this the year of some super important NO’s. NO emails before you get out of bed. NO social media until after you’ve had breakfast. NO more weeks of 12 hour days with no lunch breaks or friend time. NO more burning the midnight oil just to keep up. Enough. Shut down the computer. Shut off your phone. Disconnect and give your mind, body, and spirit the opportunity to truly recharge every single day.

7. Say NO.

How many things did you say “yes” to last year that you really didn’t want to do? Seriously, think about it. It might have been a coffee date, a “let me pick your brain” meeting, a sales pitch, a networking event, a new project, or countless other things that you did because you “felt like you had to” or you “felt bad about saying no”. Let’s make a pact that from now on you will only say “yes” to things that are a HELL YEAHS! If you aren’t clamoring to make that meeting or project happen, say “no”.

Now, I realize some of you are going to ask “but how do I say no gracefully and not let others down?” So let’s break this into 2 parts.

#1 – You are incapable of making everyone happy. You will occasionally disappoint others and you know what, they will survive. Shocking, I know.

#2 – When you say YES to something you wanted to say NO to, you do not leave room for the HELL YEAHS!

Your time is your most precious commodity, so use it wisely and only say yes to the HELL YEAHS! You feel me?

8. Put yourself first.

As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to prioritize our work above all else. But when you choose to put everything else first, guess who comes last…YOU. I want you to picture a work day that is absolutely spectacular in every way. What would you do during that day that would make it amazing? Do you make time for reading? Do you journal? Do you meditate? Do you workout? Do you take time to get outside and walk for 20 minutes? Do you chat with your best friend on your lunch break? Whatever it is that “makes you feel whole”, I want you to do it. Every. Single. Day. Make self-care your top priority and you’ll kick ass at work!

9. Stop apologizing.

“I’m sorry, but do you mind if I ask you a few questions.”

“I’m sorry to ask this, but would you be able to help me with this one little thing?”

“I’m so sorry to do this, but can we reschedule to next week.”

Enough. The “I’m sorry” is so unnecessary and unwarranted and it makes you sound less than the powerful, badass boss lady that you are. I want you to stop apologizing when you make a request.

Let’s try this on.

“I have a question.”

“Would you help me with this project?”

“Could we please reschedule to next week?”

Powerful. Simple. You can do this. Give it a try!

10. Be proud, sister.

Pride gets a bad rap – unnecessarily in my opinion. To be proud of yourself is to experience delight and satisfaction for what you’ve accomplished, created, or learned. Being proud isn’t about boasting and bragging, or putting others down so you’ll feel better about yourself.

My greatest wish for you is that you experience a deep sense of fulfillment through your work and your life, that it’s rewarding beyond the pocketbook, to a place deep within that makes your heart sing. So be proud. Be proud of what you’re doing and creating in this world. Be proud of choosing a path in life that isn’t always easy, but is somehow more interesting, dynamic, and rewarding to your soul.

I’m proud of you. For real.

Wishing you a kickass 2017!

~Hilary

Hilary is the founder of Hatch Tribe, an organization devoted to cultivating and connecting women entrepreneurs across the globe. She brings her passion for entrepreneurship to women around the world through mentoring, coaching, and live events.

Today, I have a new understanding of what it means to be a successful woman in business.

Being successful used to mean: being the last person to leave the office, being “too busy” to join you for lunch, and filling my bank account with money I’m not allowed to touch until I’m 65.5.

Today, success means building something of my own, pancakes on a Tuesday morning with my toddler, taking no less than 65 days off this year, and being asked to share my experiences on this blog because someone thinks I have something worthwhile to say.

Within the last 2 years I have had a baby, gotten married (yes, in that order), left my job at The Coca-Cola Company, moved to a new city, and started my own business.

I have made money, lost money, won accounts, and lost accounts. I have been brilliant, I have been outsmarted, and I have been pushed to my limits.

It’s not everyday you’re online shopping and the about section gives you chills. But that’s what happened to me when looking at Raw City Paper. Laura Ellison founded the company in February hoping to combine her passion of making the old new, and the battered beautiful. Her line of handmade and dyed paper journals are made from 100% recycled paper she makes herself and then filled with recycled, high quality journaling paper. The covers are dip dyed in fun colors and feature beautiful gold custom calligraphy. Of course mine says “Boss Lady” on the front, a reminder of everything I strive to be. Even more inspiring was my conversation with Laura, a woman who had the courage to start something new to fulfill her creative expressions and support women transitioning out of homelessness.

It all started when her Dad gave her a screen to make paper. She immediately began to play and experiment. Those experiments led to what is now, Raw City Paper, a creative endeavor that takes old, used paper and turns it into beautiful journals and works to empower women.

Her process is a redemptive one in practice and metaphorically. Her big idea is to create beautiful things from discarded paper waste, made by women looking to change their lives.

From being Sparc’s second hire to launching her own talent agency, Christina Lock knows a thing or two about putting the right people in the right place. She currently works out of Daniel Island’s first co-working space, Holy City Collective, home to another Boss Lady, Alesya Opelt, with her new team of 4. They work with brands to connect top talent and assist with creating the culture to keep them there. She’s also on the Advisory Board of Charleston’s heralded tech bootcamp, The Iron Yard, cultivating tech talent in the Lowcountry.

I sat down with Christina to learn more about her time at Sparc in the early days and hear how she made the switch from team player to CEO.

Work on the things you are passionate about and realize everything worth having takes hard work.

The Bad Bitches are two women who know their way around a kitchen and a set of knives. Between Sarah Adams and Nikki Anhalt they have created a culinary movement, uniting women behind the scenes and crafting one of a kind experiences for their guests. From Nashville to New York diners have the opportunity to experience experiential dining, themed dinners powered by the Bad Bitches include a menu, paired cocktails, and a theme that’s carried out in decor and design. They have also started a fund that supports women in the food and beverage community in furthering their education. Some need new knives, some need to pay for their sommelier exam, and others need grants to support their culinary creativity. (If you are interested, check out their application here.)
I had the chance to talk with one of the bad bitches herself, Nikki! We sat down for coffee and tea at the amazing new Mercantile and Mash #YUM and she dished on all things #BBCHS